The University Athletic Association of the Philippines clarified the pay structure for game officials across divisions in the Season 88 Basketball Tournaments in a statement released Saturday afternoon.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced suggesting significant changes in referees’ compensation depending on the division they officiate. The UAAP Basketball Commissioner’s Office now pays P3,000 for men’s games, P2,500 for junior high school matches, and P2,000 for women’s and girls’ games.
Previously, officials received a uniform fee of P2,500 per game, regardless of division.
The league emphasized that officials’ fees are determined not by gender but through a tiered, merit-based system, designed to ensure that all referees — regardless of gender — can perform well and earn opportunities to officiate high-stakes contests.
“The system serves as an incentive for game officials to maintain a high performance in officiating. The technical head made recommendations on the structure, which was adopted in consultation with the referees,” the statement read.
The UAAP also assured referees that their income would not decrease under the new structure. Officials’ pay per game will remain consistent with past rates, guaranteeing both fairness in compensation and stability.
“The UAAP remains committed to raising officiating standards through a referee development program, which aims to ensure its pool of referees meets FIBA standards. The adoption of the tiered system marks the initial step of the league to elevate these standards,” the statement further read.
The announcement comes after prominent figures, including representatives from National University and Sen. Pia Cayetano, voiced concerns over the disparity in pay for referees in men’s and women’s basketball games in Season 88.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Cayetano, a staunch advocate for athletes’ welfare and principal author of the Student-Athletes Protection Act, expressed disappointment over the UAAP’s earlier decision to cut fees for women’s basketball referees.
“I’m very disappointed to hear about the UAAP decision to lower the rate that they are paying the referees for women’s basketball. Ang nabalitaan ko is that ang men’s basketball, ang referees ng men’s basketball mas mataas ang fee na binibigay kesa sa referees for women,” Cayetano said.
“And unfortunately jinustify pa ito ng isang commissioner by saying na mas mahirap mag-referee sa lalaki kasi mas mabibilis sila, kung tama yung nabasa ko. It’s really sad that in this day and age, no less from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.”
She also highlighted the importance of supporting women athletes, noting, “We had Carlos Yulo, but then si Nesthy Petecio and then si Aira Villegas, mga babae di ba? So can you imagine kung nagkukulang tayo sa pag-support sa kanila whether it’s the coaches or the referees, kailangan full support din tayo sa mga women’s team natin. So I pray na i-rectify niyo itong error na ito because it’s a great injustice to our women athletes.
“This is a violation of the Magna Carta of Women, and this is a violation of labor laws. Equal pay for equal work. Hindi po yun optional. That is the law.”
Lady Bulldogs head coach and Gilas Women guard Tin Cayabyab also criticized the commissioner’s office’s decision.
Alongside head coach DA Olan, Cayabyab argued that if men’s games are indeed more physically demanding, the league should not have reduced pay for women’s division officials.
“Para sa amin, medyo na-offend kami sa part na yun. Kasi as a women[’s player], yun nga, sabi ni coach, basketball, same lang naman. But, you know, the physicality, the mental toughness, lahat, kailangan din namin gawin eh sa loob ng court. Kung ano yung ginagawa ng men, ginagawa rin namin. So medyo na-discriminate kami sa part na yun,” Cayabyab said.
“Well, I disagree with that. So yun. I think it’s just the same basketball. It’s still basketball. It’s still 40 minutes of basketball. Same length. I think it’s just the same para sa akin,” Olan added in support.
